In 1955, Minneapolis-based Munsingwear – an underwear and military supply company – ironically became the touchstone of suburban sport with the introduction of the first iconic golf shirt to America – an ORIGINAL PENGUIN®. The now famous ORIGINAL PENGUIN logo has an interesting story behind it. As history tells us, one of Munsingwear’s salesmen spotted a flock of penguins in the window of a New York taxidermist – and on what seems like a lark, bought one of the stuffed birds. And before long, the “Pete” the penguin became the official mascot and logo of golf shirts. Its first shirt – the 1955, was an instant golf classic, first to feature an “action guest” or a ribbed slice of fabric on the underarm to avoid rips during even the most enthusiastic golf swing.

an ORIGINAL PENGUIN® by Munsingwear became a staple among the masters of suburban leisure well into the 1980s – worn by the likes of Arnold Palmer, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Richard Nixon. In 1996, Perry Ellis Incorporated acquired the Munsingwear trademarks and re-launched the ORIGINAL PENGUIN brand as a complete sportswear collection in the Spring of 2003.